How Do You Define Success as a Freelancer?

We’ve heard a lot of stories about what made people shift from their corporate jobs to freelancing. They want freedom and flexibility. They want to be in full control of their work and become successful in their own terms.

We all know that success entails hard work and discipline. As a freelancer, you don’t wait for things to unfold. You make them happen. You set your own metrics and try your best to hit your goals. There are sleepless nights and a few bumps on the road, but these challenges make the freelancing journey even more exciting.

Definition of success

Success is subjective. You may consider yourself successful when you’re able to buy a new laptop or maybe when you’ve saved enough money to travel to a foreign land. Most people think that making it big means having lots of money in their bank account. While for others, their triumph lies in the happiness of the people they love.

Here are some of the world’s most influential persons and how they define success:

“In my opinion, true success should be measured by how happy you are.” ~ Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group

“I measure success by how many people love me.” ~ Warren Buffet, chairman of Berkshire Hathaway

“Success in life could be defined as the continued expansion of happiness and the progressive realization of worthy goals.” ~ Deepak Chopra, famed spiritual teacher

“It is also nice to feel like you made a difference - inventing something or raising kids or helping people in need.” ~ Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft

Secrets to success

As you age, you earn yourself a number of wins. In times of losses, you go back to what you did right that led to those mini victories and repeat them. For sure you’ve long wondered, is there a formula for success?

This TED talk was filmed 12 years ago but the ‘8 secrets of success’ that Richard St. John shared are timeless. What really leads to success? Watch this:

Success as a freelancer

Via a Twitter poll we posted last year, we asked how freelancers define success and gave out four options to choose from. Here are the results:

Of the 200 participants, 38 percent equates success with their family’s contentment; 27 percent responded that success means buying anything they want; 19 percent said being able to invest; 16 percent voted that they consider themselves successful if they can donate to the community.

Keep finding valuable projects to work on. Help employers around the world make a change in other people’s lives. If you do this more often, success will be a whole lot sweeter because you are able to share your talent on a global scale.